Polhena DivingPADI 5 Star Dive Resort
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PADI courses · Madiha, Matara

PADI courses in Sri Lanka

Learn to dive, or take your diving further, with a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort. Courses start at 8:30 am and all equipment is included.

Dive boats on the surface off the south coast
Authorized PADI 5 Star Dive Resort

A PADI 5 Star Dive Resort

Every course we teach is a PADI course, recognised at dive centres around the world. Your certification is registered with PADI the day you finish.

PADI Resort No. S26840

See our PADI listing

Special offer

Open Water + Nitrox dry course: $450

The Nitrox course is a dry course with no dives. Take it together with your PADI Open Water Diver certification.

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Your path

From first breath to professional

Each course builds on the one before. Pick the next step, or start at the beginning.

PADI Open Water Diver
PADI coursesBeginnersStarts 8:30 am3–4 days

PADI Open Water Diver

The world's most popular scuba course. Four ocean dives later, you can dive to 18 m anywhere.

From$395per studentDetails
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
PADI coursesCertified diversStarts 8:30 am2–3 days

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver

Five adventure dives including Deep and Navigation. Certifies you to 30 m.

From$350per studentDetails
PADI Rescue Diver
PADI coursesCertified diversStarts 8:30 am3 days

PADI Rescue Diver

Learn to prevent problems and handle emergencies. Many divers call it their favourite course.

From$450per studentDetails
PADI Divemaster
PADI coursesPro levelStarts 8:30 am3–4 weeks

PADI Divemaster

An internship inside a working PADI 5 Star resort, and your first professional rating.

From$1,395per candidateDetails
PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver
PADI coursesCertified diversStarts 8:30 am1 day, no dives

PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver

A one-day dry course: eLearning, then a workshop on analysing tanks and setting your computer.

From$150per studentDetails
How a course works

Theory, calm water, then the ocean

  1. Learn the theoryIn our classroom, or on PADI eLearning before you arrive. eLearning is paid to PADI and is not refundable.
  2. Practise in calm waterBuild your skills and confidence in shallow, controlled water with your instructor.
  3. Dive in the oceanComplete your training dives at local reef sites, then earn your PADI certification.
Prices

Course prices

PADI courses

PADI Open Water DiverBook
3–4 days · Age 10 and up · starts 8:30 am
  • Theory in our classroom$395
  • Theory on PADI eLearning$450
  • Special offer: Open Water + Nitrox dry course$450
PADI Advanced Open Water DiverBook
2–3 days · Age 12 and up · starts 8:30 am
  • Theory in our classroom$350
  • Theory on PADI eLearning$400
PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) DiverBook
1 day · Age 12 and up · starts 8:30 am
  • eLearning + workshop$150
PADI Rescue DiverBook
3 days · Age 12 and up · starts 8:30 am
  • Classroom theory$450
  • PADI eLearning$500
  • Rescue + EFR, classroom$595
  • Rescue + EFR, eLearning$695
PADI DivemasterBook
3–4 weeks (longer internships on request) · Age 18 and up · starts 8:30 am
  • With eLearning$1,395
  • With EFR renewal$1,595

Prices in US dollars, per person unless stated. Equipment is always included: we don't rent gear on its own. Certified divers who bring a full set of their own (everything except tanks and weights) pay $5 less. Pay on the day in cash or by card. Card payments have a 3% fee. Cancel any time before your activity starts for a full refund. Payment is final once the boat trip starts. PADI eLearning is paid to PADI and is not refundable. Free tuk-tuk pickup from hotels within about 5 km of the centre, and from Mirissa. We are closed from June to September for the monsoon.

Questions

PADI courses

What is PADI?
PADI stands for Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Its certifications are the most widely recognised scuba qualifications in the world, and we are a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort.
How long does a course take?
PADI Open Water Diver takes 3 to 4 days, Advanced Open Water 2 to 3 days, Rescue Diver 3 days, Nitrox 1 day and Divemaster 3 to 4 weeks. All courses start at 8:30 am.
Can I do the theory online?
Yes. Most courses offer PADI eLearning, so you can do the theory at home before you arrive. PADI eLearning is paid to PADI and is not refundable.
How old do I need to be?
Open Water Diver is from age 10. Advanced Open Water, Rescue and Nitrox are from age 12, and Divemaster from age 18.
Is equipment included?
Yes, all the equipment you need for the course, including tanks and weights.
What is the Open Water + Nitrox offer?
Take the PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) dry course, with no dives, together with your Open Water Diver certification for $450 in total.
Can you pick us up from our hotel?
Yes. Free tuk-tuk pickup from hotels within about 5 km of the centre, and from Mirissa. Staying further away? Pickup is possible at a cost. Ask us for a price.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel any time before your activity starts for a full refund. Payment is final once the boat trip starts. PADI eLearning is paid to PADI and is not refundable.